[A case of recurrent ischemic attacks: consecutive diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging]

Nihon Ronen Igakkai Zasshi. 2001 Mar;38(2):235-8. doi: 10.3143/geriatrics.38.235.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

A 61-year-old man with recurrent ischemic attacks was examined by diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI). He had reversible right hemiparesis and dysarthria five times during admission. DWI was obtained on the first two attacks, the last attack and four days after the last attack. The first two attacks were clinically diagnosed as transient ischemic attack (TIA), and the last attack was cerebral infarction with symptoms persistent for one week with Babinski's sign. In the first and last images the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) declined to approximately 80% of the corresponding area. We conclude that different images showed TIA with ADC declining, TIA without ADC declining, the hyperacute phase of cerebral infarction before ADC declining, and cerebral infarction after ADC declining. Consecutive DWIs were helpful to understand the character of recurrent ischemic attacks.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Brain / pathology
  • Diffusion
  • Humans
  • Ischemic Attack, Transient / diagnosis*
  • Ischemic Attack, Transient / etiology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Recurrence